What must you do when a school bus has flashing red lights in California?
You are driving on a two-lane road and a school bus ahead of you displays flashing red lights. What should you do?
The answer
Stop, whichever direction you are traveling, and stay stopped until the children are safely across the street and the red lights stop flashing.
The handbook says flashing yellow lights on a school bus warn you to slow down and prepare to stop. Flashing red lights mean you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across and the lights stop flashing.
The handbook also states that failing to stop can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a possible one-year suspension of driving privilege.
Exceptions
- The handbook says you do not need to stop if the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway.
Penalty
The handbook states you may be fined up to $1,000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year for failing to stop.
Why this rule matters for safety
Children often cross in front of or behind a bus and may not see approaching cars. Everyone stopping in both directions keeps the whole crossing area clear.
Official sources
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued) · California DMVAround Children: school bus lights, divided highway exception, fine; no edition date shown on the page; site copyright 2026
Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the California agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.
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